Kurdish fighters and US forces have been tightening their grip on the north of Iraq, taking control of the city of Mosul after the Iraqi army abandoned it.

US forces declared an overnight curfew in Mosul after a day of looting.

Like Kirkuk just 24-hours before, Mosul - Iraq's third largest city - fell without a fight, but crowds quickly went on the rampage, stripping public buildings and schools, and torching a central market.

The central bank was raided and people ran in grabbing handfuls of banknotes which were strewn over the streets as images of Saddam Hussein were defaced.

The US special forces commander in northern Iraq later announced a 2200 to 0600 curfew in the city.

Correspondents say coalition control over Kirkuk and Mosul will open up more avenues from which to attack Tikrit, whose people are bound to Saddam Hussein by tribal ties and are thought to be contemplating putting up fierce resistance.

Coalition aircraft have been striking Republican Guard positions in Tikrit, and roadblocks have
been erected to prevent Iraqi leaders from reaching the city to engage in fighting.

Kurdish withdrawal claim

A meeting on Friday between US military officials and Mosul's leaders on re-establishing authority in the city had to be postponed when gunfire broke out near the planned
site of the session.